Dear Diary,
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin broke the news today that the Movement Control Order (MCO) will be extended until May 12.
He says the decision was taken to ensure the number of new Covid-19 cases are under control and warned MCO could continue until Hari Raya.
Anyway, fasting month starts tomorrow. Happy Ramadan to all Muslims.
Here’s how Day 37 of MCO unfolded.
7.54am: CATS INFECTED – Two pet cats in New York have tested positive for Covid-19, marking the first confirmed cases in companion animals in the United States.
8.26am: GROCERIES SHORTFALL – There are reports that in some areas, government-sponsored food packs for the poor worth RM100 contained only RM35 of groceries.
Someone joked the government’s delivery charges are RM65!
Later in the day, Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai confirmed 700 government-sponsored food packs are still in Bandar Tun Razak Sports Complex in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur two days after he revealed they have not been distributed for the past two weeks.
Please don’t shortchange the needy.
8.48: DEDICATION TO STUDIES
El Salvador student takes to treetops to pick up signal for online classes https://t.co/C0Dm0B6D4p pic.twitter.com/mt708TFb30
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 23, 2020
9.03am: RISING TOLL – Global Covid-19 death toll tops 180,000 with nearly 2.6 million cases worldwide.
9.50am: LEAD BY EXAMPLE – Sultan Nazrin Shah of Perak calls on all leaders to comply with MCO and be exemplary models.
10.33am: SPORTS IS LIFE – Here’s a fun one from Instagram sent by Twentytwo13 reader Kishen Alex Raj.
11.59am: IN IT TOGETHER – Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison urges all member nations of the World Health Organisation to support a proposed independent review into the Covid-19 pandemic, further threatening strained ties with China.
1.05pm: ON THE REBOUND – Oil prices jump more than nine per cent in Asian afternoon trade but still …
1.43pm: SCARY – Seven test positive in random tests under Selangor government initiative. Selgate chief executive officer Dr Muaz Omar said the seven were among 3,408 people tested.
2pm: PERMIT NOT FOR CELEBRATION – Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaacob says the travel permit is for those stuck in the kampung and not for those who want to celebrate ‘buka puasa’.
Markets can now open for two more hours – 6am-2pm – while public transportation for the evening session is now from 4pm-10pm instead of from 5pm. The morning session remains at 6am-10am.
3pm: NEW NORMAL RAMADAN – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri says all religious activities and other Ramadan traditions have to be conducted at home. He explains the new normal refers to no congregational prayers, including Friday and terawih prayers at mosques and suraus, in compliance with MCO.
4pm: BIG SAVINGS – My friend hopes the discount from TNB will be enough to fund his next overseas trip
5.31pm: TWO MORE DEATHS – There are 71 new cases, bringing the total to 5,603. With 90 patients discharged, the number of those cured is 3.542. There were two deaths – including a nurse – taking fatalities to 95.
8.20pm: JIHAD – Muhyiddin says the fight against Covid-19 is a jihad. He also says the Movement Control Order will be extended until May 12.
9pm: BE KIND TO EVERYONE – Please ensure the food packs go to those who need them.